Last Monday of the Month Read & Critique
Details
This will be a Zoom Meeting with a waiting room for entry. If you've been on the waiting screen for more than a few minutes, try reloading. You can also comment in here that you can't get in. The moderator will check this page a couple of times to make sure there isn't anyone blocked out but this is all new technology so please be patient.
We're a warm and supportive group, sharing our writing and offering each other thoughtful feedback.
We give approximately 7 readers (depending on time) an approximately 20 minute slot of time for both reading and feedback. Both must occur, even if it is just 3 minutes of critique or only 3 minutes of reading but otherwise a reader's time can be arranged as they desire. Exceptionally short pieces, such as poetry, we ask be read twice. The moderator will provide time cues if asked. If assigned readings end in time for more people to read, we will continue in order of sign ups. All times are approximates.
The moderator will begin the meeting for signups around 6:15 and we suggest arriving before 6:30 if you wish to sign up to read. First to arrive, gets first choice of reading slot. But readers are encouraged to trade slots to get closer to what everyone wants. No one is ever required to read if they don't wish to. We gently suggest but do not at all require that attendees at their first meeting just listen or read late so they can observe how the meetings run.
We only read work in development because development of work is the group's goal. Published work doesn't give the group anything to work with.
We do our best to begin the actual meeting promptly at 6:30pm, late arrivals are fine, so long as they are not disruptive. Generally, once read and critique begins, if you are not intentionally speaking, we ask you to mute yourself no matter when you arrived.
We do our best to end the main meeting promptly at 9:00pm but IF there is group business that does not require everyone's attention, those discussions would occur at that time. Everyone is welcome to end of meeting business but no one is required to attend.
Finally, we really do try our best to be warm and supportive. It's a goal. We feel it makes us a better group. Please do feel free to ask for help in maneuvering the meeting or for anything specific you're looking for in your critiques. It'll be ok. Not even the horror writers bite much.